Love claims biggest paycheck of his career

Davis Love fought off a late charge by Tiger Woods to capture the US$5 million Target World Challenge golf tournament and claim the largest prize of his career, US$1.2 million. Woods trailed by ten shots early in the final round but managed to put pressure on the field by firing a superb seven under 65.

However, it was not quite enough as Love held on for a two stroke victory at the rain-soaked Sherwood Country Club in Los Angeles. The event is not officially sanctioned by the PGA Tour and is considered part of the Xmas “silly season” on the Tour.

Love gave himself some breathing room late in his final round by holing a 15-metre uphill birdie putt at the 16th hole for a two stroke buffer, then sank a short par putt on the final hole after nearly holing his bunker shot.

Defending champion Ireland’s Padraig Harrington finished third in the 16 player field at -6, two shots ahead of Justin Leonard and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir, who tied for fifth at -4.

Love, who led Korea’s K.J. Choi by three strokes at the start of the day, carded an Even-par 72 to close the Target World Challenge at -11 and walk away with his second win in this event in its short five-year history.